Conjure smiles from family and friends with easy chocolate fairy cakes – they have a lovely light sponge and buttery icing
- Preparation and cooking time
- Prep:20 mins
- Cook:20 mins
- Easy
- Serves 12
- Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 100g caster sugar
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 80g self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp milk
For the icing
- 75g softened butter
- 150g icing sugar
- 40g cocoa powder
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Method
- STEP 1
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole bun tin with paper cases. Put the sugar and butter in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
- STEP 2
Add the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder to the bowl and mix to make a smooth batter. Fold the milk through to loosen. Divide the mixture between the cases using a spoon. Bake for 20 mins, or until a cocktail stick poked into the centre of one of the cakes in the middle row comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 5-10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
- STEP 3
While the cakes are cooling, make the icing. Beat together the butter, icing sugar and cocoa powder in a bowl for 5-10 mins, until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. Add the milk to loosen if needed. Pipe or spread on top of the cooled cupcakes.
